While one cannot doubt the Anthrax attacks on the US, it is unclear how many outbreaks of Anthrax occur in 'normal' times.

With regard to the US, here in Britain the implication is that the outbreaks are most likely connected to the Sept 11 attacks, although there is, again, no proof.

What has not been stated or explored is the extent to which the Sept 11 attacks against the symbols of American capitalism have lead to opportunistic behaviour by the survivalist groups in the US. They have after all a number of grievances against their own state, and indeed some of the 'minority' groups there. The extent to which these avenues are being explored is not being reported in the media.

There is after all deep seated resentment, from a variety of quarters within the 'West', as witnessed by events such as Waco, Seattle, Genoa, etc. These have been against state hegemony, the nature of state direction in the context of economic globalisation and its centres of gravity. We should also not forget that protests have also been driven by the nature and impact of unbridled capitalism and its effects on issues such as the environment, Third World debt, increasing polarisation, etc.

Indeed the debate between instrumental rationality and value rationality is not one that can be reduced to a mere "clash of civilisations" but is one over the relative balance between economic and social development. Perhaps it is time to broaden the debate away from the parochial agendas of the US and its lapdog the UK.